Floral Nectar Secretion Dynamics and Honey Production Potential of <i>Leucas abyssinica </i>(LAMIACEAE)

Ethiopia's beekeeping industry benefits immensely from the diverse range of plant species that are supported by the country's ideal environment. However, different plant species produce different amounts of nectar, which has a direct impact on how much honey is produced. Many factors, such as flower shape, flower morphology, flowering phenology, and the amount and quality of nectar produced, affect how much each plant species contributes to the production of honey. The quality and amount of nectar are also greatly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sunlight. Measuring nectar production in relation to these climates parameters is essential. Knowing how much honey each blooming plant species can produce is important for determining how they affect beehive productivity and for guiding management plans for forests and watersheds. Therefore, this study was aimed to quantify the dynamics of nectar secretion and the honey production potential of <i>Leucas abyssinica</i>. To measure the accumulated nectar volume, a set of flowers was enclosed with mesh bags one day before nectar collection. Nectar volume, concentration, temperature, and humidity were recorded at 4-hour intervals. It was adjusted according to the flower size the species. The collected data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and linear regression. The results showed significant differences (at p < 0.05) in nectar secretion dynamics at various times of the day. The volume of nectar available between consecutive measurements ranged from from 0.78 to 1.04 (µl) per flower. Nectar concentration varied throughout the day, ranging from 30.35% to 36.79%. Temperature and humidity were negatively correlated with nectar volume and concentration. Based on the average nectar sugar content, the mean honey production potential was estimated at 32.2 kg/ha, with a maximum potential of 110 kg/ha. These findings suggest that L. abyssinica have substantial honey production potential. Therefore, promoting the planting and in-situ conservation of this plant species is recommended to support sustainable honey production.